Auburn QB John Franklin III part of Netflix documentary

East Mississippi Community College quarterback John Franklin III has received a scholarship offer from Auburn.(Photo: Instagram)

AUBURN – A Netflix documentary series is going to involve one of Auburn’s newest quarterbacks.

Netflix, the world’s leading internet television network, will premiere an original six-part documentary series titled “Last Chance U” on July 29.

The documentary, which is directed by Greg Whiteley, will follow the latest recruits at East Mississippi Community College, which has quickly become one of the nation’s most prolific junior college programs and has won three national championships over four years. The trailer for the documentary shows current Auburn quarterback John Franklin III.

“Following the groundbreaking Mitt, we jumped at the opportunity to work again with director Greg Whiteley,” Netflix VP of Original Documentary Programming Lisa Nishimura said in a media release. “He brings an honest and intimate lens to all his subjects, immediately creating a connection between the viewer and these young, complex subjects. You are invited into their world and feel immediately invested in the high stakes of their lives.”

Franklin, who is expected to battle Sean White and Jeremy Johnson for the starting role at Auburn in preseason camp, is a former Florida State quarterback who spent this past season at EMCC. Franklin is shown interviewed by the documentary filmmakers during the trailer for the series.

Franklin had 16 total touchdowns (nine rushing, seven passing) and 1,184 total yards (733 passing and 451 rushing) this year as he was lined up at quarterback and wide receiver in his one season at EMCC.

“Our system is about going as fast as we can and getting the football out of the quarterback’s hand as quickly as possible,” East Mississippi Community College head coach Buddy Stephens said last November when Franklin committed to Auburn. “The system is so similar to what Gus Malzahn wants to run at Auburn that it’s a perfect fit for both them and for John.”

Malzahn made it known that his new quarterback has the “wow factor” that he had behind center with Cam Newton and Nick Marshall.

“I’ve been impressed with (his) approach,” Malzahn said Thursday. “He wants to be coached. He (has) attention to detail. He’s real hard on himself.”

During points in scrimmages when Franklin would take off running from the pocket, Malzahn and the rest of the offensive staff realized the junior college transfer has a speed quality that can’t be coached.

“He’s naturally fast. When he takes off running, he’s got the ‘wow’ factor,” Malzahn said. “He can really run. He’s competing, and it’s been good for all the quarterbacks. There’s a lot of good competition right now.”

Inspired by a feature article on the EMCC program in GQ magazine, Last Chance U is a Netflix production in association with Condé Nast Entertainment, Endgame Entertainment and One Potato Productions. The series is produced by Adam Leibowitz and Adam Ridley. Nishimura, Jihan Robinson, Benjamin Cotner, Joe Labracio, Dawn Ostroff, James D. Stern and Lucas Smith serve as executive producers.